Graham Goodman, aka Flyfifer, has kindly permitted me to post some of his fab photos from last weekend’s Bristol away game on the site, together with the individual player photos he’s taken. He also has them available on his Facebook page those those who want to “tag” themselves. Also, Graham wrote an article on the game for the Bristol Post newspaper, which was posted to their website too. Many thanks to Graham for everything.
Category: News
Lions Break Scoring Duck but Go Down to Bristol
The Lions put in one of their best, and certainly their most determined, display of the season, breaking their three game scoreless streak, before going down 8-4 to Bristol.
In the game played at Basingstoke due to the closure of the Bristol rink, the Lions arrived without seven players so acting coach Ian Prince had to improvise. Captain James Hatfull played at left wing alongside Scott Beeson and Michael Crosse, with the other forward line linking Adam Peach, Phil Carson and Callum Heath. The defence was made up of James Joseph, Jack Ball, James Gosling, Alan Go and young Jarvis Mewitt. Aaron Mallet was in goal and was once again kept busy in a first period which saw Bristol score four goals, and it may have been more if not for some good stops from the Lee Valley number 1.
But despite the lack of numbers and the four goal deficit, the Lions fought back well in the second period hitting the post and going inches wide on several occasions before Peach found Heath to slot in the first from the right of the crease at 29.58. Bristol struck back right away to make it 5-1 before Peach netted himself with a shot on 38 minutes. Crosse, Beeson and Carson all went close before the teams skated off with the score 5-2.
The Lions continued the fight back in the third with Crosse and Beeson combining nicely to create a number of chances including a shot from Joseph that went just over the bar and several scrambles around the Bristol net. Then Beeson connected with a Gosling pass to score at 48.05 when skating in from the right.
The Lions were unlucky to concede a goal on a bad deflection but Beeson scored again at 53.09 after good work from Carson and Bristol were unable to take victory for granted until the very last minutes.
Outshot 64/29 the short staffed Lions were bound to tire and Bristol added two late goals to make it an 8-4 score line which doesn’t do justice to the Lions’ spirit and determination.
Aaron Mallet took the man of the match and for the players that made the game, some very encouraging signs to take into the weekend double header with Swindon and Chelmsford.
Bristol Pitbulls 8 Lee Valley Lions 4
A good fight back from the very short-handed Lions who put in a huge effort to make a game of it after falling behind 4-0 after 1 period. Full report on Monday.
Lions 0 Oxford City Stars 13
A heavy home defeat for the Lions and a result which takes Oxford to second in the table, and with games in hand, looking favourites for promotion. Although the Lions didn’t generate much offense, they limited Oxford to few quality chances in the first period, conceding just twice, while Theo Abban came close on a breakaway.
Although the Lions began the second period well and Callum Heath and Abban again went close, Oxford regained their superiority by the mid way point, and scored five more by the end of the period.
The third period saw six more for Oxford, Scott Beeson hitting the post for Lions for the second time in the game, but chances were rare for Lee Valley who were unable to contend with the speed of the Stars.
Stars Shine on Sunday, Leaving Lee Valley Goalless.
The pride of East London took another blow as a Lions’ side, missing Scott Beeson and Joe Berry were hammered 12-0 by an in form Oxford City Stars at Oxpens Road, last night.
Perhaps still feeling the effects of the previous nights match, Lee Valley were down in 31 seconds as a resurgent Stars side (looking to bounce back from an 18-1 hammering by Romford Raiders the previous evening), scored through long time stalwart Darren Elliot, assists coming from Alan Green and Nick Oliver. Only two minutes later, the Stars were 2-0 up from Oliver’s younger brother Josh, assist to Jonathan Bayliss. The score stayed the same throughout the period with both teams receiving coincidental minors at 5:25 (too many men and high sticking respectively).
Needing to score next to get back in the game, Lions were left kicking themselves as their misfiring Power Play continued to struggle. Warren Jones going in unassisted for a Short Handed effort halfway through the period. It wasn’t long before Oxford started to get into their stride, with Darren Elliot scoring twice in quick succession first from another Oliver (Joe) and Andy Cox before netminder Ruth Cattell was pulled for Aaron Mallet. Then again two minutes later, again from Joe Oliver with a second assist going to Nick… Oliver. The period ending with Oxford 5-0 ahead.
Despite the scoreline, Lee Valley can’t have predicted the onslaught that was ahead of them as the Stars pumped a further 7 goals in to heap the misery on the Lions,. Nick Oliver, James Clarke, Darren Elliot (his fourth of the night) and Josh Oliver scored four in five minutes to put the game beyond doubt. Before Jones and Green (twice) got back on the score sheet to end the night with an emphatic dozen for other men in green.
With the Stars coming back to the den in two weeks time (16th of February) for the return match. Lee Valley will expect another tough night but, hopefully a more exciting game will in prospect.
Final Score: Oxford Stars 12-0 Lee Valley
Period Scores: 2-0/3-0/7-0
Shots on Goal: 14 on Young (OX), 23 on Cattell and 34 on Mallet (both LV) (9-11/4-12/4-25)
Penalties in Minutes: OX 16-4 LV
Top scorers: Darren Elliot (4+1), Alan Green (2+3) and Nick Oliver (1+3) (All Oxford)